IDU Executive Meeting in Santiago de Chile, 13th April 2019
On Saturday April 13th, the IDU hosted the 2019 meeting of its Executive Committee in Santiago, Chile. The meeting followed the previous day’s highly successful conference on Latin America. As a crucial part of the IDU structure, the Executive Meeting is where the Executive Board gathers alongside representatives from our member parties to discuss the IDU’s plans and resolutions and consider topics of significance to our member parties. All decisions made at the meeting are taken by vote.
IDU Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, presided at the meeting and provided opening remarks. The IDU Secretary General reported on the recent relaunch of the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA) in Accra, Ghana which was followed by an upbeat report from the DUA Chairman, McHenry Venaani from Namibia. Venaani explained that DUA is gathering momentum focusing on attracting more likeminded parties, engaging women, and continuing to engage across Africa.
The Executive also welcomed a new member party, the New Democratic Party of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Nick Francis, the Secretary General of the Caribbean Democrat Union, presented a thorough update on behalf of his party. Sponsored by the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom, the application was unanimously accepted by those present at the meeting meaning that the IDU has again successfully expanded its membership. This expansion was accompanied by an upgrading of Tanzania’s CHADEMA party from an associate to a full member of the IDU. The Executive Committee recognized the valiant work of CHADEMA to promote democracy in Tanzania in one of the most difficult political contexts in the world. The IDU takes particular pride in providing CHADEMA a platform to carry on their important work.
Detailed insights given by delegates from IDU member parties allowed the attending delegates and guests a better understanding of the global political landscape and challenges member parties are facing across the world. The Rt. Hon. Brandon Lewis MP reported how the Conservative Party in the UK were excelling in their social media outreach and engagement of women; Germany’s David McAllister MEP reported on the success of the ongoing close relationship between the Christian Democrat Union and Christian Social Union in Bavaria; and Katalin Novák was pleased to inform the Executive about the great strides made by the Hungarian economy.
The European parties now look ahead to the European Elections on 23rd May, touting Spitzenkandidaten Manfred Weber MEP from the EPP and Jan Zahradil MEP from ACRE. The IDU wishes all our members parties vying for seats the best of luck as they take their message to voters across Europe.
Once again we thank all IDU member who attended the Executive Meeting in Santiago, as well as our friends at UPLA for helping to facilitate this outstanding meeting.